I have to say i don’t mind the Hendon Halifax unrestored,although I would like to see it more complete.As I understand it,a pretty considerable amount of the original aircraft would have to be replaced if it were to be able to withstand standing on it’s undercarriage again.
Going back to my question about the mid-upper turret,a number of early Halifaxes either weren’t fitted with them or had them removed to improve performance.The hole was usually covered over with plywood,which would rot away over time,leaving the hole.This is what happned with NA337 when she was recovered from Lake Mjosa a few years ago,she had a big hole and no turret (a number of Halifax’s on ‘337’s squadron had thier mid-upper turrets removed.)

Just out of interest,was there a mid upper turret fitted to this aircraft originally?It has one now,but it doesn’t have one in the above pic.

Hi Ashley,
The original Detroit Miss was flown by Urban Drew of the 361st FG on the day in October ’44 when he downed a pair of Me262’s in a single mission.Although he recieved no rcognition of this feat at the time,he was eventually awarded the Air Force Cross in 1983!
The ‘Detroit Miss’ in your photo will be the Scandenavian Historic Flight’s example,which for whatever reason only wore this scheme for a season or two.I believe it’s now painted up as Bud Anderson’s ‘Old Crow’.

I think the answer to Daz’s question is that we can’t know untill we’ve been there.If you’d asked many of the BofB pilots the same question they’d probably tell you that they don’t know how they did it themselves!
I don’t think we’d know how we’d cope in a situation like that untill we were in it.
I certainly wouldn’t have been selected for flying duties anyway,I’m blind as a bat and unfortunately I don’t have it’s echo location!!

“coupled with the pilots admission that the engine seized and this one has all the blades bent (but then I don’t know if that is much help).”

Judging by the damage to the wing tip and possibly also to the fuselage spine,it’s looks as though the aircraft may have flipped over on landing,hence all the prop blades being bent even though the engine was siezed.

Thanks Wombat,that would be much appreciated.:cool:

I don’t think there are any other 109’s surviving with such complete original paintwork,although the 109E at IWM Duxford has had a good percentage of it’s original paint conserved,particularly on the right wing.
I’ve seen a pic of the Gustav at Canberra,and it appears that they’ve mounted it on a pole in a shady corner which seems a bit of a shame.